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"They Wandered Many Days in the Wilderness," Mosiah 7:1-5

In all reality, these verses at the beginning of this chapter would have no significance to me, if it where not for the circumstances that I find myself in at present. Ammon and the other members of his company wondered without direction for forty days (verse 4). On occasion, we receive commandments that require that we go out into the wilderness without direction. We don't know how to fulfill the commandment, but we go anyways.

This is contrary to the line of thought we should wait to keep the commandments until we have received direction from the Spirit as to how to keep the commandments. Even more common is the thought that we should wait until circumstances are better or more convenient to keep the commandments. Many times, the essential guiding influence that we need to keep the commandments doesn't come until after we have started to do so.

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Verse 9 is a statement that stands opposite to the "if-only" sentiment. And it starts with this phrase: "if we had not". It is a phrase and a statement that is encased in gratitude and recognizes the inherent value of hard work. But the thought that is engendered here is a sober one: For if we had not come up out of the land of Zarahemla, these our dearly beloved brethren, who have so dearly beloved us, would still have been racked with hatred against us, yea, and they would also have been strangers to God. (vs. 9, emphasis added)What is so miraculous about this particular account was that thousands of Lamanites were brought to the light. Without such unprecedented faith in God, this would have never been realized. They sought to do something that had never been done before, and succeeded.

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This chapter represents the end of 14 years of missionary labors for Ammon and his brethren, though it doesn't expressly say so at the beginning of the chapter. Rather, this chapter starts immediately with the remarks of Ammon as he is reflecting back upon their labors.

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Plant the Seed

For 20+ years, a study of the Book of Mormon has been a on-going routine for me. Its stories and vocabulary are very familiar to me. My conclusion thus far: there is no other text in existence that will better prepare you for life's daily challenges, as well as, give you the long-term advantage. Simply stated, it is of God, our loving Father in heaven, who has given us this book to show us how to have faith in Jesus Christ and how to prepare for our return to our heavenly home.

This all may be new to you, though. If you want help learning how to read the Book of Mormon, or have questions, feel free to reach out to me. You can comment on any blog post, or send me a personal note at ammonita@gmail.com.

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About Me

At some point in my late adolescence, I resolved to make scripture study a daily practice in my life. To date, I've read through the Book of Mormon perhaps a dozen times or so. I presently find myself well engulfed in a sequential study of the Book of Mormon in both English and Spanish. I bring to my study this time the experience of a father of large family, and the experience of being a faithfully committed marriage partner. I am a practicing member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and have served in various teaching and training capacities over the years. This blog represents my personal thoughts and impressions as I have read through the Book of Mormon on a daily basis. Comments, questions, and insight are graciously welcomed.